Hi everyone, I want to get a new MIDI keyboard but wonder if my money would be better spent getting a synth that can double as my main MIDI keyboard?

For example this one looks ideal for my MIDI uses (I dont want or need a lots of pads sliders buttons and stuff)-

M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 (100 $/€ give or take)




But what if I buy a synth that can be my MIDI controller too, even if spending a little more money, my first choice would be a analog synth. I think 200-300 $/€ would be the most I can spend. any ideas guys?

Thanks!

- forgot to say, I mostly use Ableton Live 12 and Cubase 15 sometimes. I am not a professional pianist, but I can play chords and plunk out leads easily so the key size and feel does matter to me.

 

Most synths suck as controllers, the primary issue is that the pots/encoders, ribbons, etc can't be reassigned in 99.5% of synths. You can get around this if everything you want to control is under the reach of a midi learn function but you'll still run into problems you wouldn't with a controller... eg, most synths have fixed 9-5 pots or encoders, that isn't ideal with a controller as you'd want endless encoders.

If you have no controllers atm, getting a dedicated controller first is the way to go. It will always work regardless of how your setup changes. There is no analog synth you could get for 200-300 that would be anywhere near as functional as a similiar priced controller for, well, the purpose of controlling.

All that cautionary aside, if all you truly want/need is note on/off, velocity, and pitch bend... then yes, an inexpensive analog synth could work (assuming it sends the messages).

 

You might also get mod wheel messages out. Very limited, but besides the points you make above, even with a more capable synth with more controls, you are typically beating up a synth that costs more than an equivalent controller.

 

You’re probably better off with a dedicated controller, you can remap the controls with midi learn and assign parameters to your controller, plus they won’t be too much more expensive, it depends on what size and how many keys you’re getting. I have a minilab mk2 and lumi keys but I’ve been using lumi more because it’s smaller, more portable and connects to my Mac via Bluetooth, even if minilab has more encoders I can use to control my plugins. A keyboard with synth built in is more likely to be less programmable and most often just let you control the hardware via midi instead of control your plugins.